Staples, one of the world’s largest internet retailers, today announced
a series of major expansions of its home and office automation platform Staples
Connect, including a 500 store rollout, new pricing for the Staples
Connect Hub, and collaborations with Microsoft, Jawbone, and D-Link.
Staples is also the first retailer to announce the integration of
wearable technology to its platform.

Staples' VP of Business Development Brian Coupland announces Staples Connect's expansion at event held at the Lutron Global Specification Office in New York. (Photo: Business Wire)

Major Expansion of Stores and Devices

After a limited launch in the fall of 2013, Staples is adding Staples
Connect in-store displays to 500 retail locations. All compatible
devices are already currently available for purchase on Staples.com and
through all of Staples’ in-store kiosks. These devices - the most widely
supported list in the industry, with 35 existing hardware partners -
include an extensive variety of top brand name manufacturers including
Lutron, Philips, Honeywell, First Alert, Yale, Kwikset, Schlage,
Leviton, Cooper, GE, D-Link, , Radio Thermostat and dozens of others,
representing close to 150 individual smart devices for the home or
office.

“Staples Connect offers the best-in-class home and office automation
solution, with the widest array of product and services from the most
trusted brands,” said Mike Edwards, executive vice president,
merchandising, Staples. “Our in-store expansion shows that Staples is
committed to providing our customers the newest tech offerings and
innovations, like Staples Connect, so they can make more happen in their
business and at home.”

Widest Array of App Platforms on the Market

Powered by software from smart home technology company Zonoff, Staples
Connect has the most supported App platforms in the industry, with apps
currently available on native iPad,
iPhone,
Android,
and web browsers via HTML5. In addition, the Staples Connect App is now
also available for Windows
8 and will soon be available on Samsung Smart TV’s.

“Every day consumers are using their Windows 8 devices to engage with
their favorite apps and games in new and unique ways,” said Todd Brix,
general manager, Windows apps and Store, Microsoft Corp. “Today Staples
is offering consumers the ability to manage their home or office
environment from their tablets, laptops and PC’s with a new app for
Windows 8.1.”

First Retail Platform to Support Wearables

CIO, CTO & Developer Resources

With the Staples Connect in-store rollout, Staples is debuting an
enhanced wearable
technology experience, with a wide selection of brands, like Samsung
and Polar. Select tech wearables available at Staples, including smart
watches and lifestyle trackers like UP24
by Jawbone, will be able to control other integrated devices such as
thermostats, shades, cameras, and doorbells. For example, users will be
able to turn on the lights or open the blinds by turning off sleep the
mode on their Jawbone UP.

“Every day, UP24 helps millions of people better understand how they
sleep, move and eat, getting them engaged in their health and thinking
about the lifestyle decisions they make every day,” said Travis Bogard,
vice president of product management and strategy at Jawbone. “Our
integration with Staples extends the possibilities of what UP24 can do
for you, delivering a stronger, smarter ecosystem to make your daily
experiences even more frictionless.”

Additional Staples Connect Hub Options

Staples also announced new options for its Staples Connect Hub, with a
reduced price of $49.99 for the critically acclaimed Linksys hub, and a
new hub, manufactured by D-Link, available in the fall. The D-Link hub,
which will retail for $79.99, adds support for ZigBee and Bluetooth LE
(low energy), alongside all the major wireless protocols found in the
current Linksys hub which includes WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Z-Wave, and Lutron
Clear Connect™. With the Staples Connect apps and the new hub’s expanded
protocols, users can control and connect an even wider range of devices
from the most trusted brands in the industry.

“We’re excited to be a part of the Staples Connect initiative and the
impressive set of solutions here for connecting today’s digital
consumer,” said Albert Ling, executive vice president of sales and
marketing, D-Link Systems. “The Connected Home Hub is a powerful piece
of networking hardware working seamlessly with the Staples Connect app
for a stellar user experience enabling control over a wide variety of
devices.”

About Staples:

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more
ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery
capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they
want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile devices. Staples offers
more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and break room
supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and
Print services. Staples also offers free shipping for Staples Rewards
Members, in most cases overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia,
Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is
available at www.staples.com.

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